Holder for rolls or sheets of paper



-Mmh 25, 1941. J, L, CANDLER 2.236.487

HOLDER FOR ROLLS OR SHEETS OF PAPER March 25, 1941. J. L. CANDLER HOLDER FOR ROLLS OR SHEETS OF PAPER Filed May 6, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 25, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application May 6, 1939, Serial No. 272,077 In Great Britain May, 1938 14 Claims.

This invention relates to holders for rolls or sheets of paper or to devices associated therewith. Y

In the furtherance of personal cleanliness it may be desirable to employ paper in a moistened or damp condition and it is the primary object of this invention to provide an improved device for this purpose.

While the primary object of the invention is lo to provide a device which facilitates personal cleanliness after a bowel action the use of the device is obviously not limited to such application. A similar device to what is normally termed a toilet fixture may be used, for example for distributing moistened and dry paper towels for cleaning or freshening the face, hands or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a paper-distributing device which is parrticularly applicable in cases of certain bodily disorders, notably haemorrhoids The manner in which the above general objects of the invention are attained may best be understood from a consideration of the subsequent part of this specification in which by way rof example, but without limitation suitable examples of paper-distributing devicesembodying the invention are described.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating several examples and forming a part of this specification:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a device embodying the invention for distributing moistened or dry paper from a roll;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly in section of the corresponding device;

Fig. 3 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2 of the operative mechanism for applying moisture to the paper; A

Figs. 4 and 5 show diagrammatically in side view partly in section a modif-led embodiment of the device for applying moisture to paper stacked in sheets.

Referring to Figs. 1-3 there is provided an' outer casing denoted generally lby I0 which is preferably of substantially rectangular .shape and is formed at its upper end with a cover member II pivotally mounted about axis I2 and which is maintained in its covering position by suitable spring catches I3.

On the lateral walls of the casing I8 are mounted supporting lugs I4 each having an inclined slot I5. The slots are adapted to receive the spindle I6 of a paper roll holder AI'I indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 1. Any suitable torr'n (Cl. lll-38) of roll holder may be provided and in the embodiment illustrated the spindle I6 comprises two telescopic portions adapted to be mutually separable to allow the insertion of the holder into the paper roll and carrying two sleeves I8, 5

I9 having conical heads 20, 2l slidably mounted cn the spindle I6 and controlled as to their position by compression springs 22. The paper roll indicated generally by 23 thus centers itself on the conical heads 20, 2I which adjust themselves according to the axial width and bore diameter of the paper roll.

The upper ends of the slots I5 are closed by the cover member II. Mounted on the inside of the cover II is a retaining leaf-spring 24 15 which retains the roll and roll holder in position Vin the slots I5 and prevents the roll from overrunning. Adjacent the lower edge of the cover II is formed in the front wall of the casing I0 a slot 25 through which the paper from the 20 roll 23 is adapted to project and through which the said paper is withdrawn. At its lower end the cover II carries in rotatable manner a roller 26 mounted rigidly on a spindle 21, the roller and spindle rotating as a unit. 2

At the lower end of the casing Ill is arranged a tank 28 adapted to hold liquid and removably mounted within the casing III, for example held frictionally by a plurality of leaf-springs 29 mounted on the inside of the casing I0. Slidably ,30 mounted on a cross-bar 30 fixed to the lateral walls of the casing I0 are guide members 3I which are axially separable according to the width of the paper roll so as to guide the paper within the slot 25. The guide members 3I project slightly through the not 25 and at their D Afront ends are provided with laterally turnedup members 32 which assist in guiding the paper.

Disposed at the lower end of the casing is a device for transferring liquid from the tank 28 to ,the lower side of the paper prior to issuance 40 of the latter from Athe slot 25. kThe liquidapplying member preferably comprises a spongerubber pad 33 which is .mounted at each end on an arm 34 pivotally movable about .an axis pin 45 35. Mounted below the pad 33 is an anti-.splash or damping plate 36 which remains immersed in the .liquid in the tank vand prevents up and down movement of the pad 33 from creating excessive splashing of the liquid in the tank 28. y

The mechanism for actuating and controlling the time of application of the pad 33 to the paper from therll '23 in the illustrated embodiment is` as follows'. Pivotally mounted. about pivots 31 at each side of' thelcasing are' levers 55 33 which at their front ends project through slots 39 in the front wall of the casing and carry nger actuating studs 4U. The levers 38 are connected by a pin and slot connection 4l, 42 with a link 43 which connection allows lost motion between the link 43 and the lever 33. At its upper end each link 43 is connected to a lever 44 pivotally mounted on the axis 35. At the front end of one lever 44 is mounted an arcuate cam 45 which is arranged for pivotal movement about a pin 46. A torsion spring 41 is disposed around the pin 46 and engages at one end against the lever 44 and at the other end against the arcuate cam 45 in such manner as to tend to force the cam 45 upwardly in a clockwise direction. In its normal inoperative position Vthe leading edge of the arcuate cam bears against the underface of the spindle 21. Pivotally mounted on the lateral wall of the casing l'0 for movement about the pivot 48 is a carn stop 49 having `a finger control member 50.

The movement of the pad 33 is determined by a tension spring or like resilient member 5I which is connected between the lever 44 and the lever 34. A further spring 52 is interposed between the lever 38 and the lever 44 acting as a return spring to return the lever 38 with the finger stud 43 to its upper position on release of finger pressure.

Preferably a guide plate 53 is mounted on the outside of the front wall of the casing adjacent the slot 25 to facilitate'the tearing off of the paper passing through the slot. If desired, the members projecting from the front Wall of the casing may be shrouded by a shroud member 54 which is pivotally mounted about studs 55 and held in its shrouding position by a spring or springs 56. The mounting of the spring 56 is preferably such that when the cover is swung into the downward position shown in Fig. 3 to allow access to the actuating mechanism the spring 56 acts as a toggle-spring and maintains the cover in its lower position.

In operation the paper strip 60 from the roll 23 is led downwardly below the guide roller 26 and passes through the slot 25 in which it is controlled as to its lateral position by the resilient guide members 3| and 32. In the normal position of the actuating mechanism shown in Fig. 2 the paper withdrawn will be in a dry condition. If it is desired to apply moisture to the paper one or other of the nger studs 40 is depressed which moves the corresponding lever 38 about its pivot 31 thereby lowering the rear end of the lever 44 through the intermediary of the link 43. The raising of the front end of the lever 44 lifts the pivot 46 so that the arcuate cam 45 which is stressed by the spring 41 so as to move upwardly is lifted to such a position as to release its leading edge from the spindle 21 so that the arcuate cam rotates about its pivot 45 until the tail 51 of the cam comes in contact with the stop pin 49 as shown in Fig. 3. In this position the arcuate face of the cam 45 bears frictionally against the spindle 21 when pressure on studs 40 is released.

At the same time due to the raising of the lever 44 the sponge-rubber pad 33 is lifted through the intermediary of the spring 5| so that it bears resiliently against the lower face of the paper strip 6D at the point where the latter engages around the guide roller 26. On withdrawing the paper strip 66 the underface of said strip is moistened by the sponge-rubber pad.

The extent to which the strip 69 is moistened is determined by the arcuate cam 45 which on rotation of the roller 26 and spindle 21 gradually moves downwards in a counter-clockwise direction due to its frictional engagement with the spindle 21. When the leading edge of the arcuate cam 45 moves oi the spindle 21 the entire actuating mechanism including the pad 33 and the actuating levers fall downwardly due to gravity so that the arcuate cam again takes up the position shown in Fig. 2 with its leading edge bearing against the spindle 21.

The time period during which the pad 33 remains in contact with the underface of the paper strip 60 and thus the wetted length of paper is dependent on the length of contact of the arcuate cam 45 with the spindle 21 and this in 4turn is dependent on the original position of the cam 45 after depression of the actuating mechanism 40, 33. The position of the cam 45 can be adjusted by adjustment of the stop 49. In other words, raising of the stop 49 through the actuating nger 50 will shorten the arcuate length through which the cam 45 frictionally engages the spindle 21 and thus shortens the length of the underface of the paper strip 60 wetted by the pad 33.

It is to be noted that when nger pressure is released from the finger stud 40 after setting the actuating mechanism the lever 38 and stud 4i) move back into the dotted position shown in Fig. 3 under the action of the spring 52. It will also be noted that the pad 33 is retained in its operative position until a controlled length of the paper strip has been withdrawn and that the same then automatically moves downwardly into its inoperative position.

The liquid content in the tank 2B may, for example comprise water, a dilute disinfectant, diluted perfume or any other suitable liquid.

In Figs. 4 and 5 is diagrammatically illustratl ed the mechanism for a holder intended to containa stack of sheets of paper as is commonly sold for use with toilet xtures. The sheets of such paper stacks are usually folded or otherwise inter-leaved to ensure that on the withdrawal of the outside sheet the succeeding sheet is brought into position for withdrawal.

The apparatus shown in Figs. 4 and 5 comprises a casing 10 provided with an enlarged slot open- ,ing 1l on its front face through which the paper sheet is adapted to project. Such Aa sheet is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig, 4 at 12. Mounted for vertical sliding movement in the lateral wall of the casing is a frame structure comprising two vertical uprights 13 carrying at their upper ends a roller 14'xed on a rotatable spindle 15. The frame is steadied at its lower end by levers 16 fixed to a common spindle 34, the levers having a slot 11 engaging around a pin 18 mounted on the frame. 'Ille frame 'is provided with a manually actuated Amember 19 formed with a finger stud 80.

The pad 8l is mounted on a spindle 62 carried in suitable supports, for example on the lateral walls of the casing andthe said spindle also car- 6 ries a pulley 83. `Engaging around the pulley 83 is a steel tape or like transmission member 84 which is secured at one end to the pulley as by a screw 85, and is connected at its other end to the pin `13. Intermediate the endsbf the steel tape 84 is a tension spring or like member 35.

,A sectorrshaped cam'86is mounted for pivotal movement about anaxis pin 31 and is provided with an' arcuateface 83. A torsion spring B9 tends to urge the cam 86 in a counter-clockwise direction and the upper position of the cam is determined by a stop .90 which isl adjustable as regards its vertical position, for example is vertically movable within a suitable guide 9|.

Located at the lower part of the casing 'l0 is a tank or other container 92 which may, for eX- ample be removed to the front of the casing. In a-ddition, the casing 10 is provided with a removable cover @3 to allow replacement of the paper stack.

Fig. 4 shows the arrangement of parts in inoperative position in which sheets of paper 12 maybe withdrawn in a dry condition.

If it is desired to moisten a sheet the iinger stop 89 is depressed thereby moving the frame structure into the position shown in Fig. 5. Downward movement of the pin 18 causes rotation of the pulley 83 through the intermediary of the transmission tape 84 and spring 85 and causes movement of the pad 8| into the position where it contacts against the paper on the underside of the roller 14.

As in the last-described embodiment downward movement of the frame structure moves the cam 85 against the force of the spring 89 until fthe clam is able to take up the position shown in Fig. 5 where its arcuate surface 88 bears against the spindle 'l5 and its upper edge abuts against the stop 98.

Rotation of the roller 74 on withdrawal of the paper strip 'l2 causes rotation oi" the spindle 15 and clockwise movement of the cam 86 until its arcuate surface 33 passes below the spindle 'l5 in which case the entire framework moves upwardly under the action of the springs 89 and 85. Simultaneously the moistening pad 8| returns into the position shown in Fig. 4.

The extent of the moistened surface of the paper 'l2 is dependent on the time of engagement of the cam surface 88 with the spindle l5 and this length can be adjusted by adjustment of the stop 90.

It will be understood that the invention contemplates within its scope devices which may vary from the specific examples hereinbefore described by way of illustration and the invention is accordingly -to be understood as embracing all structures falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A holder for rolls or sheets of paper which includes a normally inoperative vdevice for applying liquid to a surface of said paper during withdrawal of the latter from the holder, an actuating member for bringing said device into a liquid-applying position and means responsive to movement of fthe paper for restoring said device into its inoperative position.

2. A holder for rolls or sheets of paper which includes a normally inoperative device for applying liquid to a surface of the paper during withdrawal of the latter from the holder, an actuating member for bringing said device into a liquid applying position and means responsive to movement of the paper for restoring said device into its inoperative position, said means being adjustable to vary the length of paper wetted.

3. A holder for rolls or sheets of paper which includes a casing having a withdrawal slot, a normally inoperative device for applying liquid to a surface of said paper during withdrawal of said paper through said slot, a roller rotatably mounted on said casing Iand located adjacent said slot, the paper being led below and in contact 'with seid roller, manu-any actuated means fer lifting said liquid-applying device against the paper contacting said roller, means to hold said liquid-applying device in its raised positionr and means controlled by the movement of said roller to so release said liquid-applying device that it falls under the force of gravity into its inoperative position.

4. A holder for rolls or sheets of paper which includes a casing having a wi-thdnawal slot, a normally inoperative device for applying liquid to a surface ci said paper during withdnawal of sai-d paper through said slot, a spindle rotatably mounted on said casing, a roller carried by said spindle and located adjacent said slot, the paper being led below and in contact with said roller, manually actuated means for lifting said liquidapplying device against the paper contacting said roller, means engaging said spindle to hold said liquid-applying device in its raised paper-contacting position, and means operative by a predetermined rotational movement of said spindle to move said holding means out of its operative position whereby said liquid-applying device returns to its inoperative position under the force of gravity.

5. A holder for rolls or sheets of paper which includes a casing having a withdrawal slot, a normally inoperative device for applying liquid to a surface of said paper during withdrawal of said paper through said slot, a spindle rotatably mounted on said casing, a roller carried by said spindle and located adjacent said slot, the paper being led below and in contact with said roller, manually actuated means for lifting said liquidapplying device against the paper contacting said roller, holding means for said liquid applying device comprising a spring controlled cam having t an arcuate surface, and means to bring said surface into frictional engagement with said spindle on operation of said manual actuating means to hold said liquid applying device in its raised position, said cam after a predetermined rotation of said spindle being rotated clear of said spindle to thereby release said liquid applying device.

6. A holder for rolls or sheets of paper as claimed in claim 5, which includes means to adjust the initial setting of the cam surface relatively to the spindle on raising the liquid applying device whereby the length of paper moistened may be varied.

7. A holder for rolls or sheets of paper which includes a normally inoperative device for applying liquid to a surface of the paper during withdrawal of the latter from the holder, an actuating member for bringing said device into a liquid-applying position, resilient means interposed between said actuating member and said liquid-applying device to provide a predetermined pressure of said liquid-applying device in its operative position and means responsive to movement of the paper for restoring said device into its inoperative position.

8. A holder for rolls or sheets of paper as claimed in claim 1, in which a liquid container is located at the lower end of the casing to contain liquid for moistening the liquid-applying device in its inoperative position.

9. In a holder for rolls or sheets of paper as claimed in claim 1, the provision of a damping plate on the liquid-applying device which remains constantly immersed in liquid throughout the movement of said liquid-applying device.

10. A holder `for rolls or sheets of paper as claimed in claim 3, which includes resilient guide elements laterally positioning the paper and maintaining the paper in contact with the roller.

11. A holder for rolls or sheets of paper as claimed in claim 1, which includes a lost-motion device interposed between the actuating member and liquid-applying device whereby said actuating member may be restored to its normal position prior to the resortation of said liquid-applying device into its inoperative position.

l2. A holder for rolls of paper as claimed in claim 3, which includes a pivotal cover on the casing, inclined guideways on the lateral walls of said casing and a support for the paper roll disposed within said guideways, the guideways being disposed so as to be closed by said cover.

' 13. A holder for rolls of paper as claimed in claim 3, which includes a guide plate disposed on the outside of the casing adjacent the withdrawal slot.

14. A holder for rolls of paper as claimed in JOHN LAWRENCE CANDLER. 

